Are we progressing?

Zig Ziglar makes and interesting case that progress is relative and that by traditional quality  standards we are not progressing.

 

"What happened in our society? Why do we have more timesaving devices but less time with family, less time for a quiet cup of coffee and less time for a friendly visit with the neighbors? Why is it that millions of homes in America today have alarm systems and consider firearms a necessity for protection? Question: Could it be because we have taken the ridiculous idea of "separation of church and state" to a new low?

Joyce Minor, who served as assistant director of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Alabama School of Law, made some interesting observations. When she attended a high-school football game that was covered by local and national news, it was not about the football teams, but instead about the defiance of a court order by one little Texas town to preserve the right to pray before a game. She wrote, "The more this country struggles to free itself from religion, the more we become entangled in the consequences. If people are taught that they came from slime, the obvious questions and consequences must follow."

Minor acknowledged that in any given poll, the vast majority of Americans claim to believe in God. "I claim to believe that running is good for me, but that does not make me a runner. Putting on my running shoes and running makes me a runner. The climbing abortion rate, murder rate, divorce rate, alcoholism and drug abuse rate, child and spousal abuse rate contradict that claim and prove that actions speak louder than words."

She also said, "For those who believe that separation of church and state is not enough, that the world would be better off with no church at all, ask yourself this question: How many hospitals, universities, orphanages, homeless and abuse shelters have been founded by the ACLU or American Atheist Society? It is the inclusion of the word Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Christian, etc., in the name of so many of these institutions that proves by actions, not just words, who really cares for the suffering of mankind and desires to make the world better."

Zig Ziglar

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Tolerance needed and a Merry Christ-mas to you

 

  Lets put the Christmas back into Christmas -A Ponder -

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.  I don't feel threatened.  I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives..  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about.  And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves..

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.
 
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. 

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully,  Ben Stein
 
 

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Buyer beware alert- Xmas gifts- check return policy

BEST BUY, MY FOOT
Best Buy has some bad policies....

Normally, I would not share this with others, however, since this could happen to you or your friends , I decided to share it. If you purchase something from, Wal-Mart,  Sears etc. and you return the item with the receipt they will give you your money back if you paid cash, or credit your account if paid by plastic.

Well, I purchased a GPS for my car, a Tom Tom XL.S from 'Best Buy'. They have a policy that it must be returned within 14 days for a refund!

So after 4 days I returned it in the original box with all the items in the box, with paper work and cords all wrapped in the plastic. Just as I received it, including the receipt.
I explained to the lady at the return desk I did not  like the way it could not find store names. The lady at the refund desk said, there is a 15% restock fee, for items returned. I said no one told me that. I said how much would that be. She said it goes by the price of the item. It will be $45.00 Dollars for you. I said, all your going to do is walk over and place it back on the shelf then charge me $45.00 of my money for restocking? She said that's the store policy. I said if more people were aware of it they would not buy anything here! If I bought a $2000.00 computer or TV and returned it I would be charged $300.00 dollars restock fee? She said yes, 15%.

I said OK, just give me my money minus the restock fee.

She said, since the item is over $200.00 dollars, she can't give me my money back!!!

Corporate has to and they will mail you a check in 7 to ten days.!! I said 'WHAT?!'

It's my money!! I paid in cash! I want to buy a different brand..Now I have to wait 7 to 10 days. She said well, our policy is on the back of your receipt.

I said, do you read the front or back of your receipt? She said well, the front! I said so do I, I want to talk to the Manager!.

So the manager comes over, I explained everything to him, and he said, well, sir they should of told you about the policy when you got the item. I said, No one, has ever told me about the check refund or restock fee, whenever I bought items from computers to TVs from Best Buy. The only thing they ever discussed was the worthless extended warranty program.. He said Well, I can give you corporate phone number.

I called corporate. The guy said, well, I'm not supposed to do this but I can give you a 45.00 dollar gift card and you can use it at Best Buy. I told him if I bought something and returned it, you would charge me a restock fee on the item and then send me a check for the remaining 3 dollars. You can keep your gift card, I'm never shopping in Best Buy ever again, and if I would of been smart, I would of charged the whole thing on my credit card! Then I would of canceled the transaction.

I would of gotten all my money back including your stupid fees! He didn't say a word!

I informed him that I was going to e-mail my friends and give them a heads up on this stores policy, as they don't tell you about all the little caveats.

So please pass this on. It may save your friends from having a bad experience of shopping at Best Buy

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

How to make money from a dead mule

Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the

 Advertiser Newspaper in Kentville , N.S.
and bought a mule for $100.

The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day.

The next morning the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry, fellers, I have some bad news,
the mule died last night."

Curtis &Leroy replied, "Well, then just give us our money back."

The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

They said, "OK then, just bring us the dead mule."

The farmer asked, "What in the world ya'll gonna do with a dead mule?"

Curtis said, "We gonna raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead mule!"

Leroy said, "We shore can!  Heck, we don't hafta tell nobody he's dead!"

A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis & Leroy at the Co-Op grocery store and asked:

"What'd you fellers ever do with that dead mule?"

They said,"We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do."

Leroy said,"Shucks, we sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a
profit of $898."

The farmer said,"My Lord, didn't anyone complain?"

Curtis said, "Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his
two dollars back."

Curtis and Leroy now work for the government.

 

( We need their creativity in the government to revitalize the process -of turning the dead turkey into  a positive feast for the taxpayers and constituents )

 

--

Thanks for thanksgiving from the knights

Now Give Thanks

For every hill I've had to climb,
For every stone that bruised my feet,
For all the blood and sweat and grime,
For blinding storms and burning heat
My heart sings but a grateful song –
These were the things that made me strong!
For all the heartaches and the tears,
For all the anguish and the pain,
For gloomy days and fruitless years,
And for the hopes that lived in vain,
I do give thanks, for now I know
These were the things that helped me grow!
'Tis not the softer things of life
Which stimulate man's will to strive;
But bleak adversity and strife
Do most to keep man's will alive,
O'er rose-strewn paths the weaklings creep,
But brave hearts dare to climb the steep.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" .

Corporate or organizational culture renewal

Examining your corporate culture: Are you a good influence?

 
Chris Lytle, CSP, Author of The Accidental Salesperson
Here are two definitions of corporate culture. (1) The body of beliefs, values, norms, rules of conduct, ethics, history, stories, heroes and heroines, rituals, and other symbolic activities that provide meaning to the people of the company about the organization as a whole (American Management Association). (2) The way we do things around here (the definition for non-MBAs).

GMs can influence the culture of the entire company. Sales Managers have the ability to influence the micro-cultures of their departments. Here are seven components of corporate culture you can influence.

1) Practices

If the message you want to send is, "We want to keep good people here longer," look at your practices. Celebrating length of service (or not) is a practice. Celebrating company birthdays and giving an increasingly nicer present as the years go by tells employees that length of service means something. Awarding an extra week of vacation after five years of service is another practice to consider.

2) Myths

Your ability to influence the stories that are told to new employees is part of the process of setting the culture. Making sure that they understand something of the history and influence of the company in the market helps you create a semblance of stability in a whirlwind of change.

3) Ceremonies

GMs can use meetings or speeches to communicate vision and values, and celebrate team efforts, or not. You have a choice. Taking time to celebrate first or big orders is one example of a ceremony.

4) Symbols

How you distribute perks, titles, and even office furnishings influences the culture. Something as simple as a special parking place for the employee of the month sends a message. So does having special executive parking places closer to the building than the rest of the troops. Do you want to send the message that power has its privileges or that the first person to get to work gets the best space?

5) Power

Be aware that power and how it's used influences culture. Managers tend to use position power. Their attitude is, "I'm the boss, so do what I say." Leaders tend to use more personal power. They use the word "because" a lot. Leaders work to increase understanding and share information. How you use power as an executive generally passes down the line.

6) Systems

There are hard and soft systems, complex and simple ones. Hard systems include computers and other technology. Soft systems include meetings and committees. All are designed to get work done.

Consider your company's communications, paperwork, and customer service systems (if applicable), even systems for earning promotions and pay increases. How simple or complex these are will shape your culture.

Your company has a culture whether you choose to influence it or not. As the boss, you have a tremendous opportunity to influence the culture of your company. A strong culture can help you get superior performance out of average people. Spending time to influence "the way we do things around here" is a profitable investment of management time.

Food for thought for the silent and good majority -use it or lose it

SUBJECT:-   A psychiatrist's view of history very interesting, and scary!! 

This is by far the best explanation of the Muslim terrorist situation I have ever read. His references to past history are accurate and clear. Not long, easy to understand, and well worth the read. The author of this email is said to be Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a well-known and well-respected psychiatrist. 

 A German's View on Islam ...
 A man, whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II, owned a number of large industries and estates.. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.' 

 We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' that Islam is the religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. 

 The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honour-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. It is the fanatics who teach their young to kill and to become suicide bombers.
 The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous. 

 Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. 

 The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet. 

 And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace loving'? 

 History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.

Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.

Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts--the fanatics who threaten our way of life. 
 

Lastly, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious and just deletes this email without

sending it on, is contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand. So, extend yourself a bit and send this on and on and on! Let us hope that thousands, world-wide, read this and think about it, and send it on - before it's too late.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

smart tech

Hi-Tech Devices Designed for Older Users
For many of those who are 50+, well-designed gadgets and gizmos that are easy to use -- even by those who can't see, hear or punch tiny little buttons as well as they used to -- are becoming a very welcome part of everyday life. This is good business, of course: The 78 million baby boomers represent one-quarter of the US population and, according to research done by the AARP, they own more than 70% of US financial assets and generate more than $2 trillion in annual income. (The same research also pointed out that, "With life expectancy growing, boomers' focus is on health and hipness quotients to fight 'old' aging and keep them in the game.")
"The negative stereotype of older adults -- that they're technophobic, can't learn anything new, they're all sick -- is slowly but surely changing," says Sara J. Czaja, PhD, codirector of the departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Engineering at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Center on Aging. "We really have to think of older adults as active users of technology."

 
Boomer tech
To learn about some of the best or latest examples of well-designed tech that's geared to the boomer-and-older crowd, I spoke with Susan Ayers Walker, managing director of SmartSilvers, a group that works with manufacturers to promote the development of 50+-friendly technology. Some of the gadgets here are for the tech-savvy set... some are for new users... and some are simply interesting takes on already existing technology. All rank among her favorites.

A simpler cell phone: The Jitterbug phone is a prime example of well-thought-out design for seniors interested in using new technology but who feel more comfortable with old-school versions. Two unique features: When you open the Jitterbug phone, you hear a dial tone that tells you it is ready to use and if you hit "0," you connect with an operator who can help you. Plans start as low as $14.99 per month for 50 "anytime" minutes, and you do not need to sign a contract. Jitterbug.com.

A senior-oriented computer: The Go Computer is a simple, inexpensive computer designed for ease of use -- all you need is a broadband Internet connection, either through your cable or telephone company. (Note: It won't work with dial-up Internet connections.) Plug the computer into your wall outlet, turn it on and press the "Go" button to access e-mail, the Web, photos, games... all the basic functions for which most people actually use a computer. There's virtually no set-up involved, and it comes with a keyboard and screen designed specifically for seniors. $879, plus $19.96 per month for service.

 

thegocomputer.com.
Getting the picture: The Ceiva digital picture frame automatically updates itself to generate a continually fresh family album. Connected to a phone line, the frame automatically dials in to its servers at night to download new pictures, if they're available. Sending photos is as simple as loading them from your computer to the Ceiva server.  This is a great idea for home use or for a gift for an older family member not living with you -- he/she can wake up to new photos whenever you choose. From $127.99 for a frame and one year of service. ceiva.com.

Time to relax: We all could use less stress in our lives, especially at this time of year. The emWave Personal Stress Reliever is like a high-tech, credit card-sized mood ring that measures stress levels, and provides audio and visual feedback. A free tutorial is included (you call a number printed on the box to listen). Also available for purchase are e-books that offer instructions for using the device to help manage such problems as emotional eating or insomnia. Some pro golfers are using the emWave to help them relax before they tee off, and a number of Veterans Administration hospitals are using the devices to help returning soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. $199. Emwave.com.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants"

Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford

Re: Lets put Christ back into Christmas

This document has been imported into Google Docs on your behalf:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd763tfg_491gq34z4cj&invite=
Just FYI,
The Google Docs Team

Lets put Christ back into Christmas

*Twas the month before Christmas*

> *When all through our land,*
>
> *Not a Christian was praying*
>
> *Nor taking a stand.*
>
> *See the PC Police had taken away,*
>
> *The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
>
> *The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
>
> *About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
>
> *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
>
> * December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
>
> *Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
>
> *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
>
> *CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
>
> *Something was changing, something quite odd! *
>
> *Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
>
> *In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
>
> *As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
>
> * At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
>
> *At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
>
> *You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
>
> *Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
>
> *Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
>
> *Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
>
> *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
>
> *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
>
> *To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
>
> *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
>
> * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
>
> *The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
>
> *The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
>
> *So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
>
> *Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
>
> *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
>
> *Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
>
> not Happy Holiday !*
>
> Please, all Christians join together and
>
> wish everyone you meet
>
> MERRY CHRISTMAS
>
> Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season! 
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete

-

 

-

Sieg Holle GK 9262
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Subject: : Interesting Economics Lesson..

...

A Canadian tourist is driving throughthe United States.  He stops at the motel and lays a $100 bill on the desk.  He says wants to inspect the rooms upstairs before committing to one.  The man walks upstairs..............


The motel owner grabs the bill, runs next door and pays his debt to the butcher.

The butcher takes the $100, runs down the street and pays his debt to the pig farmer.

The farmer takes the $100, runs to pay his bill at the Co-Op of feed and fuel.
          
The Co-op Man takes the $100, runs and pays his debt to the local prostitute.

The prostitute takes the $100, runs to the motel and pays off her room bill.

The motel owner takes the $100, and places it back on the counter. 

The Canadian Traveler, comes down the stairs, takes the $100 bill, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money, and leaves town.

No one produced anything. No one earned anything.  However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future with a lot more optimism.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the United States and Canadian Governments are conducting business today.

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants"

backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
http://www.backtoeden.bravehost.com/
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

The Law is the Law -food for thought on political correctness

Opinion from a reader THE LAW IS THE LAW!

I really love this one. This is one of the better e-mails I have received in a long time! I hope this makes its way around Canada several times over!    So Be It!

THE LAW IS THE LAW

So if the Canadian government determines that it is against the law for the words 'under God' to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the 'Ten Commandments' are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

I say, 'so be it,' because I would like to be a law-abiding Canadian citizen.

I say, 'so be it,' because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the Canadian public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God,
can't Trust in God and
cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings,

I don't believe that the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of Canadian life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the 'Canadian Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, and Easter, as well as Sundays.'
After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Commons
to not have to worry about getting home for the'Christmas Break'.
After all, it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved,
if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be 'politically correct'.

In fact....

I think that our government should work on Sundays
(initially set aside for worshipping God...)
because, after all, our government says that it should be
just another day.

What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, may be our elected officials
will stop giving in to the 'minority opinions' and begin, once again, to represent the 'MAJORITY' of ALL the Canadian people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord,
Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!
'Amen' and 'Amen '

These are definitely things I never thought about, but from now on I will be sure to question those in government who support these changes.

At the top, it says
'I hope this makes its way around CANADA several times over!!!!!'

Let's see that it does..
Amen and Amen!

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

You are importsnt and can make a difference

As blind Helen Keller said,

"I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

:The Knights memorial mass honours and thanks those that made a difference   

 And as the unknown author said

 

One SONG can spark a moment,

    One FLOWER can wake the dream,
    One TREE can start a forest,
    One BIRD can herald spring,
    One SMILE begins a friendship,
    One HANDCLASP lifts a soul,
    One STAR can guide a ship at sea,
    One WORD can frame the goal,
    One VOTE can change a nation,
    One SUNBEAM lights a room,
    One CANDLE wipes out darkness,
    One LAUGH will conquer gloom,
    One STEP must start each journey,
    One WORD must start a prayer,
    One HOPE will raise our spirits,
    One TOUCH can show you care,
    One VOICE can speak with wisdom,
    One HEART can know what is true,
    One LIFE can make a difference.

May that life be yours.

Remember, too, "that all the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of one small candle."

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

q-jumpers.brantknights, siegholle@gmail.com recommends that you use Google Calendar

I've been using Google Calendar to organize my calendar, find interesting events, and share my schedule with friends and family members. I thought you might like to use Google Calendar, too.

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siegholle@gmail.com recommends that you use Google Calendar.

To accept this invitation and register for an account, please visit: https://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=djI0OWx1M25tbWxtdHAxdHNpOWd2djIyZ3NAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ&invEmailKey=q-jumpers.brantknights%40blogger.com%3A544f710a3d2ac8a58a3a035bc0909afa9813c09d

Google Calendar helps you keep track of everything going on in your life and those of the important people around you, and also help you discover interesting things to do with your time.

AN OBITUARY to reason -- good reading from London times,

 

An Obituary printed in the London Times     Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; - Life isn't always fair; - and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing

Food for thought  -Love makes the world go around -

Dr. Alfred Adler, international psychiatrist, based the following conclusions on a careful analysis of thousands of patients: "The most important task imposed by religion has always been, 'Love your neighbor….' It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow man who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring."
As I have said a number of times, it may not be the most desirable for many of us, but we can live healthily as a single or without romantic love in our life. But we cannot live healthily without loving relationships—or at the very least, without one loving relationship.

I would agree with Dr. Adler in that, more often than not, it is a lack of love that drives people into self-destructive behaviors such as: looking for love in all the wrong places and getting deeply hurt and disappointed; acting out sexually as a false substitute for love; and turning to drugs and alcohol as a means to anesthetize or deaden the pain of emptiness caused by a lack of love.

So, if we are lacking in love or feel that we need more healthy love in our life, where do we find it? Easy question; tough answer.

First, it begins by admitting to ourselves and to at least one trusted friend exactly how empty and lacking in love we feel.

Second, remember that we get damaged in damaging relationships and are healed in healing relationships. This means we need to be in relationship with at least one loving, accepting, non-judgmental, trusted person (a capable counselor if necessary) with whom we can be totally open and honest and, step by step, open up and reveal our true self—warts and all. It's only as we reveal who we truly are that we can be loved and accepted for whom we are, and not for what we have ever done or have failed to do. And as we are loved and accepted in this way, little by little we learn to love and accept ourselves.
This, of course, takes courageous work and time. However as we learn to love and accept ourselves, we are not only freed to change, but also in a position where we are attracted to loving people and they to us. Remember, we can only be loved to the degree that we are known—and we can only love and accept others to the degree that we ourselves have been loved and accepted.

Third, and most important, realize that we not only need the love of others, but most important of all, we need to know and experience God's love, forgiveness, and his divine acceptance. As we open up to him and confess our true self to him—sins, warts and all—and ask for his forgiveness, he forgives us totally. And, of course, we need to learn how to forgive ourselves. Then we are freed to experience God's love in the depths of our inner being. And joyously we will discover, as we grow in love towards others, our love for God will also grow and be enriched.

As God's Word says, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us"


Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

leading by example http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2165438

Church group feeds community's hungry

RELIGION

Posted By MARYANNE FIRTH, SUN MEDIA

Posted 9 hours ago

For nearly a decade, Harvest Kitchen has been serving hot meals to the community's less fortunate.

The inter-church program's ninth year began last Sunday as hungry diners lined up for a warm, nutritious meal and friendly conversation.

"Our volunteers are back at it in full force," said Rev. Bob Bond, who acts as the program's contact person.

Harvest Kitchen grew directly from the Out of the Cold program introduced in the mid- '90s, which provided overnight shelter and a hot meal for those in need.

In the late '90s, the program separated, becoming what is now Hope House -the 24-hour emergency hostel facilitated by The Hope Centre -and Harvest Kitchen.

Since the initiative began nine years ago, the program has expanded year after year thanks to the volunteers who donate their time, Bond said.

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

Back to basics and reverse discrimination

"In Denver, a family was forbidden to hold more than one Bible study in their home each month, despite the fact that it was a small group and there were no neighborhood crowding or parking problems. It seemed that because they were Christians, they could not enjoy the same freedoms allowed all other groups.

There's more. When the Supreme Court was debating the constitutionality of partial-birth abortion, there were two groups protesting. The Christians were praying that the judges would decide that they did not have the constitutional right to perform partial-birth abortions; the others were 'pro-choice.' The group arrested by the police: the Christians who opposed partial-birth abortion.

Regardless of your faith, don't forget Germany. Hitler persecuted specific ethnic groups one by one. When people did not protest (because it wasn't 'their' group), the day came when everyone feared that knock on the door.

'Freedom of religion' is a phrase to which it appears many people in the courts and the media seem to have added another phrase -- 'unless it happens to be Christianity.' Think about this: Christians initially started all hospitals. The Salvation Army, orphanages, the Civil Rights Movement and Habitat for Humanity were started primarily by Christians. Twenty-five of our first 27 universities, and many other humanitarian organizations, including public schools, were started so people could learn to read -- the Bible."

Least we forget what built our values- stop the attacks  on religious freedom

 We hear lots of talk these days about sustainability -- maintaining an ecological balance through the protection of natural resources. But the concept is equally important on a spiritual level. We must have sustainable relationships by maintaining an emotional balance through the protection of spiritual resources, like love, faith, hope and peace.,

"Simply, if the church is to be anything more than an organization or institution, we must clear the environment around us of pollutants such as greed, jealousy and jaded self-interest. We must take the Holy Spirit into our lives and let him filter out the toxins that clog the heart and cloud the mind. He does so by purifying the good that's already within us and circulating the warmth of his love in all that we do". S Gambel
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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .

All of us comprise walls of church

Posted By RICK GAMBLE

A lan Darlington's new environmental design is turning competitors green, and not just with envy.

A plant biologist who began working on his radical idea at the University of Guelph, Darlington now runs a company specializing in living walls -- walls comprised entirely of plants that play a key role in improving the indoor environment. Though walls made up entirely of greenery have been around for years, Darlington's are different.
CROSSCURRENT
A case in point is the one his company built at St. Mary's University in Halifax, one of the biggest living walls in the world. Three storeys high and incorporating more than 1,100 plants, the project is hailed as a combination of science, art and engineering, it not only looks great, it's a vital part of the building's air-handling system.
The wall actually sucks air through the wall and into the building's ventilation system. That's important because the air gets into the roots of the plants where microbes break down contaminants and clean the air of impurities. Though mechanical air purifiers can do the same thing, their filters eventually fill up and become toxic, a problem not shared by the plants in a living wall.
Living walls also save money on winter heating. With a conventional purifying system, the new air brought into a building to replace old air must be heated, whereas the plants in a living wall merely clean the existing warm air and recirculate it. No new air from outside is needed, which cuts heating costs by up to 30%.
Along with being easy on the eye, living walls help muffle interior sound; aid relaxation and alleviate stress; change carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is healthier for all of us; and they reduce overall temperatures in buildings, which cuts energy consumption. Popular plants include clematis, hydrangeas and wisteria. Living walls are popular on university campuses and other public buildings like city halls and hospitals. They're starting to show up in churches, too.
How symbolic. Wherever we gather to share our lives in community, the real walls -- the things that give us definition, shelter and support -- are our relationships. What counts is not lathe and plaster but love and people. All of us, when brought together in the family of God, comprise the living walls of the church.
As such, our relationships must be vital and dynamic, improving the environment in which we find ourselves and enhancing the quality of life around us.
We hear lots of talk these days about sustainability -- maintaining an ecological balance through the protection of natural resources. But the concept is equally important on a spiritual level. We must have sustainable relationships by maintaining an emotional balance through the protection of spiritual resources, like love, faith, hope and peace.
Simply, if the church is to be anything more than an organization or institution, we must clear the environment around us of pollutants such as greed, jealousy and jaded self-interest. We must take the Holy Spirit into our lives and let him filter out the toxins that clog the heart and cloud the mind. He does so by purifying the good that's already within us and circulating the warmth of his love in all that we do.

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .